A great way to revise staff notes is to play Crocodile, Crocodile.
For violin students:
Use the music note names from here: https://www.denleymusic.com/musicblog/wp-admin/post.php?post=39&action=edit
And the treble clef violin flash cards from here: https://www.denleymusic.com/musicblog/wp-admin/post.php?post=1154&action=edit
For piano students:
Use the free printable flashcards for piano from 1 2 3, Homeschool for Me here: https://www.123homeschool4me.com/free-music-note-flashcards_87/ The staff notes are there, as well as the backs of the cards, or use them as the music note names. (A big thank you to Beth Gordon for her cards!)
How to play:
Student/s call out
“Crocodile, Crocodile
May we cross your ground?
If not, why not?
What’s your favourite sound?“
Teacher holds up a music note name and the student needs to work out what the teacher is holding up (e.g. “it’s a C”), then quickly grab or stand on the corresponding staff note (a C, any C) before the crocodile “eats” them. I use a hand puppet unless I’m doing this with my own child, in which case I chomp hug them.
Variations:
- Use all the C’s on the grand staff with three or four copies of each so the student really gets to learn what those different C’s look like. Use this method when new notes are introduced.
- Use a few notes the student struggles to recognise and use those on repeat.
- Hold up a note name (e.g. A)or a note on the staff and have the student quickly run to the piano and stand up at the piano, or hold their violin and play the note before the crocodile ‘eats’ them.
